Change Partners.

Once again the Intrepid One™ breaks news:

Casey, who starts Dec. 31, is bringing along partners Richard Tuschman, Kevin Vance and Hector Chiconi as well as associates Teresa Maestrelli and Mark Beutler, a paralegal and an undetermined number of office staff. All the lawyers practice in labor and employment except Chiconi, who has an immigration practice. The only remaining partner at EGB, Robyn Symons, is in discussions with Duane Morris.

Also joining Duane Morris from EGB will be Eddie Feenane, a longtime recruiting and administrative head who cut his teeth at Steel Hector & Davis. Feenane will coordinate recruiting, marketing and business development efforts for Duane Morris’ Miami and Boca Raton offices.

According to a source close to the firm who did not want to be identified, the group is departing EGB partially due to its lack of a full-service platform and partially due to financial reasons.

"No one wants to refer cases to other firms," the source said. "Additionally, they haven’t kept competitive on salary and bonuses."

Congrats to a fine group of lawyers and we wish them the very best.

Totally unrelated, but I really enjoyed Mike Myers in Austin Powers.  I sure hope he keeps that franchise going.

Joe Klock 3.0 -- Suing Insurance Companies At a Small Firm?

But where will he park his corporate jet:

Prominent South Florida litigator Joseph Klock Jr. is leaving the Miami office of Epstein Becker & Green after two years to join the Coral Gables firm of Rasco Reininger Perez Esquenazi & Vigil as a name partner today.

The firm’s new name will be Rasco Klock Reininger Perez Esquenazi Vigil & Nieto.

Klock, who was forced out as managing partner of Steel Hector & Davis before its 2005 merger with Squire Sanders & Dempsey, left that firm to join Epstein Becker in February 2007.

So two years at SSD, two years at Mike Casey's shop, and now a small firm in the Gables. Here is Joe's explanation for the move:

Klock said he left because client conflicts prevented him from pursuing cases at the 400-lawyer Epstein Becker firm, and his experience with the firm was positive.

“They treated me very well,” he said. “A lot of their success has caused me some problems. They represent so many insurance companies, it represents a conflict from my practice point of view.”

When asked if compensation was a factor, Klock said, “Let’s put it this way, I wouldn’t be making a move if I thought I’d be making less money.”

In other words, Joe is now a plaintiff's lawyer who wants to sue insurance companies? Oh well, it's Miami -- you can be anybody you want to be.

He's bringing three lawyers too:

Steve Reininger, co-founder of Rasco Reininger Perez Esquenazi & Vigil, said Klock is bringing three attorneys with him, including Epstein associate Juan Carlos Antorcha and Berger Singerman shareholder Gabriel Nieto, who will join the firm as a partner. Klock said he’s also bringing Epstein Becker associate Rashida Ivy with him as an associate.

And here is Epstein's Mike Casey on the departure:

Michael Casey, managing partner of Epstein Becker & Green’s Miami office, said Klock’s departure is amicable.

He said Klock’s new firm offered him a strong compensation package and a name partnership. Casey said he didn’t know compensation details.

“They cut him a great deal,” Casey said. “He’s going to be a name partner in the firm, which is important to Joe and a lot of people, and as far as I know they cut him probably a great deal on the comp issues too.”
Epstein Becker will continue its working relationship with Klock by referring cases to him and accepting referrals from him, Casey said.

“He’s been a friend of mine for over 30 years,” Casey said.

“I wish him all the best, continued success and good health.”

Mike, it's nice to be positive and all, but tone it down a little -- you seem more thrilled about the move than anybody.

I'm kidding, I'm kidding -- this all seems like a win-win.

Congrats to all, and good luck at Rasco Klock Reininger Perez Esquenazi Vigil & Nieto (oy -- let's call it "RKRPEVN" for short).